Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment

At taylormadeit.com.au, we believe that playing the pokies — whether at a local venue or online — should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to earn money or escape financial difficulties. Gambling is not a reliable source of income, and the odds are always designed to favour the house over time.

Only gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, set a budget before you play, and never treat gambling as a solution to debt, bills, or other financial pressures. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Age Verification

In Australia, you must be 18 years of age or older to gamble legally, including playing poker machines, betting on racing or sport, or wagering online. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to gamble, and it is an offence for operators to allow minors to do so.

If you share a computer or device with young people, we strongly encourage you to use parental control software and never leave gambling accounts logged in. Protecting minors from gambling harm is a shared responsibility.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
• Hiding your gambling from family, friends, or your partner
• Spending more money or time on gambling than you intended
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to fund gambling
• Neglecting work, study, family, or social commitments because of gambling
• Feeling anxious, guilty, depressed, or irritable about your gambling
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, or other problems
• Lying about how much you gamble or how much you've lost
• Being unable to cut down or stop, even when you want to

If you recognised yourself in several of these signs, it may be time to seek support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

Most licensed gambling operators in Australia offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them:

• Deposit limits — set a cap on how much you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss limits — restrict how much you can lose within a set period.
• Session and time limits — control how long you spend gambling in one session.
• Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
• Self-exclusion — voluntarily ban yourself from gambling venues or online services. In Australia, you can register with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, to block yourself from all licensed Australian online wagering services. Venue-based self-exclusion programs are also available in every state and territory.
• Cooling-off periods — take a short break from your account to reset and reflect.

Support Organizations

Free, confidential help is available 24/7 for Australians affected by gambling:

• Gambling Help Online — free counselling, live chat, and support across Australia, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.gamblinghelponline.org.au | Phone: 1800 858 858
• BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — self-exclude from all Australian licensed online wagering providers in one step. www.betstop.gov.au | Phone: 1800 238 786
• Lifeline Australia — crisis support and suicide prevention. www.lifeline.org.au | Phone: 13 11 14

If you are visiting from outside Australia, these international organisations may assist:

• United Kingdom: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk; GamStop self-exclusion — www.gamstop.co.uk
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org | Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — www.check-dein-spiel.de

If Gambling Is Causing You Harm — Get Help Today

If you're worried about your own gambling or the gambling of someone close to you, please don't wait. Confidential, judgement-free help is available right now. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au — it's free, and it's available 24/7.

Remember: the pokies should be a bit of fun — never a burden. Play responsibly, know your limits, and put your wellbeing first.

Last updated: 2026 | taylormadeit.com.au